Dear Sally, I’m thinking of you sitting in our coffee shop, the hush of the waves of Lake Superior combing the shore, the sky so blue you could dive in, the smell of evergreen fresh in the air from last night’s rain. But I’m writing to you from the beaches of Hawaii, my toes dug into the creamy sand, the salt of the ocean drying into crystals on my skin. As you’re diving into your novel and writing scenes, I thought it might help if we touched upon Storyworld this week. Storyworld is so key, from the first scene to every scene beyond to anchor your character – and especially your reader – into the story. Think of Storyworld as more than just the setting, but as the world you […]
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May Writer’s Challenge Winner: Andrea Michelle Wood!
A horrible, cruel nightmare. Luke slouched into the hard plastic chair beside Savannah’s hospital bassinet. He dropped his head into his hands, blocking out the sight of the faded blue-green divider curtain that surrounded his daughters exam room and the extensive collection of monitors and machines huddled around her bed. It all felt so real. Too real. If only he could just wake up. Savannah’s whimper instantly snapped Luke back to reality. The flimsy curtain did little to drown out the constant commotion from vortex of the emergency center. Every deliberate footfall of rubber soled shoes, every ring of the phone lines at the nurses’ desk, every beep of every monitor, every tick of the institution style clock mounted on the wall, even the occasional flicker from the fluorescent glare […]
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Featured Fiction Fridays: Rosanne White
Well, the Frasier Winners have been announced. The hard work of the judges has decided the winners, and today we will take a look at the novel of another of our esteemed judges… Roseanna M. White, and her book “Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland” *** Can you give the MBT audience a short promo of your story? In 1784 peace has been declared, but war still rages in the heart of Lark Benton. Never did Lark think she’d want to escape Emerson Fielding, the man she’s loved all her life. But when he betrays her, she flees to Annapolis, Maryland, the country’s capital. There Lark throws herself into a new circle of friends who force her to examine all she believes. Emerson follows, determined to reclaim his betrothed. Surprised when […]
Read the RestQuick Skills: Scene Creation Checklist
I thought it might be helpful if I posted the Scene Creation Steps you could use when crafting a chapter. If you’ve been following the blog for the past month, we’ve addressed each of these sections/elements in the blogs. Part One Keeping Scene Momentum: Character Journal Ask the following questions: 1. What did you think about what just happened? 2. What are your choices? 3. What will you do next, and why? 4. What is the worst thing that could happen to you right now? 5. And, if it’s a romance –how do you feel about this person? What do you fear happening emotionally? Part Two Create Scene Tension Scene Tension Equation: Sympathetic Character + Stakes + Goals + Obstacles + Fear of Failure. Step 1: Determine your Action Objectives […]
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